The Spirit Is Willing by Travis Moffitt

41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
There are several reasons in the Bible given as cause for prayEr  We are to pray for the sick.  We are to pray for our needs.  We are to pray for God's will to be done on earth.  We are told to pray without ceasing and we are told to pray in the Spirit.  Here the disciples are instructed to pray so that they do not fall into temptation.  When I was reading this passage I began to wonder what temptation specifically Jesus was speaking of. 

 

In the next few verses we see Jesus dealing with a temptation of His own.  It's an odd thought to me to think of our Lord being tempted.  The Bible tells us however that He was tempted in every way.  So what was His temptation here.  I believe it was to leave the ministry.  Look at His prayer: If there be another way, let this cup pass from me.  In other words, "Father, I know this is a good work and know that you have called me to it, but I also know that it is about to reach it's most difficult moment.   If there is another way then let's explore some options."

 

I know this was a struggle for Jesus because He went  back and prayed this same prayer 3 times.  This was not a one and done decission for Him.  He wrestled with this next step for some time and with some great anguish, to the point that His sweat was drops of blood. 

 

Jesus knew that victory in the fight ahead actually lay in His prayers at that moment.  He also knew the same was true for His beloved disciples.  He knows the same is true for you and I.

As we love one another and reach out to this world, the temptation is sure to come (in fact for many it's already arrived) to look for another way.  A few passages later, when the mob arrived the disciples responded without the decisive prayer battle having been won.  Peter pulled a sword and sliced off an ear. Judas offered the kiss of betrayal.  The others stood amazed an then they all scattered.  Jesus, having already won, offered Himself freely.

 

What will you do when times are tough in your walk with the Lord?  What will I do?  We face challenges daily here at WVIW.  Challenges that are new and seemingly more difficult than ever.  We must pray that we do not fall into temptation.  

 

The truth is that our Father has called you and I me to a great work.  He has called us to gather His people together and then GO.  GO to a world that is lost and dieing dying without Him.  To GO to Neglected & Forgotten People.  Whether they are locked in a prison cell or living on a beach in the remote reaches of the earth.  We are called to Reach them with the Gospel. 

At WVIW we believe that our greatest and most challenging days lie ahead.  We believe also that the same God who called us has also already made a way to victory.  And that way is through prayer. 

 

Will you join us?  Will you keep watch with us for an hour?  We will pray for you, and we invite you to pray for us and together we will offer ourselves to the world without reservation.